Digital Commons Network^™

In Vitro Antibacterial, Antibiofilm Activities, And Phytochemical Properties Of Posidonia Oceanica (L) Delile: An Endemic Mediterranean Seagrass, Ertugrul Ozbil, Mehmet Ilktac, Sultan Ogmen, Ovgu Isbilen, Jesus M Duran Ramirez, Jana Gomez, Jennifer N Walker, Ender Volkan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In the antibiotic resistance era, utilizing understudied sources for novel antimicrobials or antivirulence agents can provide new advances against antimicrobial resistant pathogens. In this study, we aimed to investigate antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603 and several S. aureus clinical isolates obtained from medical devices, including patient urinary catheters and breast implant infections, with varying antibiotic recalcitrance profiles. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts from P. oceanica rhizome exhibited significant antibacterial activity against E. faecalis and S. aureus, as well …

Driving Green Investments To Address Climate Change, Baptiste Gibrat

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

The climate crisis is no longer news, and society needs to accelerate the transition to net zero emissions. Otherwise, the consequences of climate change will become increasingly catastrophic.

This thesis develops a framework to drive green investments, which reduce society’s dependance on fossil fuels. Initially, the research provides a comprehensive examination of these investments, followed by an exploration of three strategies to enhance their adoption: leveraging financial instruments and capital markets, implementing regulatory frameworks, and harnessing the power of technologies. To integrate these elements within a comprehensive framework, the study employs market research, reviews relevant literature, and includes interviews with …

Sounding The Alarm: Local Cues That Drive Functional Specialization Of Brain Resident Memory T Cells, Shawn Christopher Musial Jr.

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Resident memory T cells are a unique subset of memory T cells that persist within tissues throughout the body, including the brain, optimally positioned to exert local immune activation. Broadly, T cells in the CNS are implicated in a range of neurologic disorders, can protect against reinfection, and even participate in normal CNS homeostasis. Despite this, there remain significant gaps in knowledge about how T cells, specifically resident memory T cells (T_RM), are regulated and function in the unique CNS environment. Here, we leverage a mouse model of acute viral infection to dissect the diversity of brain T …

Chatgpt And Google Assistant As A Source Of Patient Education For Patients With Amblyopia: Content Analysis, Gloria Wu, David A Lee, Weichen Zhao, Adrial Wong, Rohan Jhangiani, Sri Kurniawan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: We queried ChatGPT (OpenAI) and Google Assistant about amblyopia and compared their answers with the keywords found on the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) website, specifically the section on amblyopia. Out of the 26 keywords chosen from the website, ChatGPT included 11 (42%) in its responses, while Google included 8 (31%).

Objective: Our study investigated the adherence of ChatGPT-3.5 and Google Assistant to the guidelines of the AAPOS for patient education on amblyopia.

Methods: ChatGPT-3.5 was used. The four questions taken from the AAPOS website, specifically its glossary section for amblyopia, are as follows: (1) What …

The Theoretical Understanding Of Risk Perception And Dual-Method Contraceptive Decision-Making Among Texas Adolescent And Young Adult Cisgender Females, Lauren Holt

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The purpose of this study is to understand STI and HIV risk perception and decision-making related to dual-method contraceptive use among adolescent and young adult cisgender females (AYACF) and to develop a conceptual model explaining the processes associated with risk perception analysis and decision-making related to dual-method contraceptive use among sexually active adolescent and young adult cisgender females using prescribed contraceptives.

Zinc And Diabetes: A Connection Between Micronutrient And Metabolism, Rahnuma Ahmad, Ronald A. Shaju, Azeddine Atfi, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications

Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem and a major contributor to mortality and morbidity. The management of this condition typically involves using oral antidiabetic medication, insulin, and appropriate dietary modifications, with a focus on macronutrient intake. However, several human studies have indicated that a deficiency in micronutrients, such as zinc, can be associated with insulin resistance as well as greater glucose intolerance. Zinc serves as a chemical messenger, acts as a cofactor to increase enzyme activity, and is involved in insulin formation, release, and storage. These diverse functions make zinc an important trace element for the regulation of blood …

Genomic Characterization Of Volzhskoe Tick Virus (Bunyaviricetes) From A Hyalomma Marginatum Tick, Hungary, Gábor Földvári, Zsófia Tauber, Gábor Endre Tóth, Dániel Cadar, Alexandra Bialonski, Balázs Horváth, Éva Szabó, Zsófia Lanszki, Brigitta Zana, Zsaklin Varga, Fanni Földes, Gábor Kemenesi

School of Biomedical Sciences

Hyalomma marginatum, a vector for the high-consequence pathogen, the Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), needs particular attention due to its impact on public health. Although it is a known vector for CCHFV, its general virome is largely unexplored. Here, we report findings from a citizen science monitoring program aimed to understand the prevalence and diversity of tick-borne pathogens, particularly focusing on Hyalomma ticks in Hungary. In 2021, we identified one adult specimen of Hyalomma marginatum and subjected it to Illumina-based viral metagenomic sequencing. Our analysis revealed sequences of the uncharacterized Volzhskoe tick virus, an unclassified member of the class Bunyaviricetes. …

An Indirect Elisa Using A Recombinant Envelope Protein For Detecting Antibody Against Duck Tembusu Virus Infection, Thaweesak Songserm

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) belonging to Flavivirus group, causes severe central nervous system disorders and decreased egg production as found in Thailand. To detect antibody against the DTMUV infection, we developed an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the recombinant envelop (E) protein for coating antigen. The E protein coding gene of KPS54A61DTMUV was cloned into pPICzαA vector and expressed by using 2% (v/v) of absolute methanol as inducer in Pichia pastoris expression. The recombinant E protein was detected in the culture medium at a concentration of 4.55 mg/ml and analyzed a protein expected size by SDS-PAGE at 65 …

Vaginitis And Risk Of Sexually Transmitted Infections: Results Of A Multi-Center U.S. Clinical Study Using Sti Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing, Jane R Schwebke, Paul Nyirjesy, Melissa Dsouza, Damon Getman

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Significant increases in rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) are occurring in the United States. We present results of a U.S. study examining the intersection of STIs and vaginitis. Among 1,051 women with diagnoses for the presence or absence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and/or symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), 195 (18.5%) had one or more STIs, including 101 (9.6%) with TV, 24 (2.3%) with CT, 9 (0.8%) with NG, and 93 (8.8%) with MG. STI prevalence in BV-positive women was 26.3% (136/518), significantly higher than STI …

Regulatory Complexity Of Cellular Differentiation In Candida Albicans Revealed Through Systematic Screening Of Protein Kinase Mutants, Michael C Lorenz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A recent study in mBio reports the construction and preliminary screening of a library containing mutants of 99 of the 119 predicted protein kinases in Candida albicans (the majority of the remaining 20 are probably essential) (J. Kramara, M.-J. Kim, T. L. Ollinger, L. C. Ristow, et al., mBio e01249-24, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01249-24). Using a quantitative competition assay in 10 conditions that represent nutritional, osmotic, cell wall, and pH stresses that are considered to model various aspects of the host environment allowed them to phenotypically cluster kinases, which highlight both the integration and specialization of signaling pathways, suggesting novel functions …

Persistence Of Daptomycin-Resistant And Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci In Hospitalized Patients With Underlying Malignancies: A 7-Year Follow-Up Study, Lynn El Haddad, Georgios Angelidakis, Yuting Zhai, Layale Yaghi, Cesar A Arias, Samuel A Shelburne, Kwangcheol Casey Jeong, Roy F Chemaly

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) commonly colonize the gut of individuals with hematologic malignancies or undergoing hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and may cause bacteremia. In 2012, we identified VRE isolates from patients and patients' rooms and showed transmission networks of highly genetically related daptomycin-resistant (DR)-VRE strains. This is a follow-up study performing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and phylogenetic analyses on 82 clinical VRE strains isolated from stools and blood cultures of patients with leukemia and HCT between 2015 and 2019. Here, we observed transmission of highly genetically related strains between rooms on the same or on different floors, including a DR-VRE strain identified …

Infant And Adult Human Intestinal Enteroids Are Morphologically And Functionally Distinct, Grace O Adeniyi-Ipadeola, Julia D Hankins, Amal Kambal, Xi-Lei Zeng, Ketki Patil, Victoria Poplaski, Carolyn Bomidi, Hoa Nguyen-Phuc, Sandra L Grimm, Cristian Coarfa, Fabio Stossi, Sue E Crawford, Sarah E Blutt, Allison L Speer, Mary K Estes, Sasirekha Ramani

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

UNLABELLED: Human intestinal enteroids (HIEs) are gaining recognition as physiologically relevant models of the intestinal epithelium. While HIEs from adults are used extensively in biomedical research, few studies have used HIEs from infants. Considering the dramatic developmental changes that occur during infancy, it is important to establish models that represent infant intestinal characteristics and physiological responses. We established jejunal HIEs from infant surgical samples and performed comparisons to jejunal HIEs from adults using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and morphologic analyses. We then validated differences in key pathways through functional studies and determined whether these cultures recapitulate known features of the infant …

The Efficacy Of Cannabis As A Substitute Addiction For Opiates, Clark Furlong

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Approaches to opiate addiction focus on abstinence and/or a harm reduction model that often utilizes substitute medications. Methadone and suboxone are the most prescribed drugs for opiate maintenance therapy. The long-term side effect profile and health consequences are undesirable. Research is looking for healthier alternatives.

Purpose: Opiate maintenance therapy participants have a mortality rate greater than twelve times that of the normal population, we seek to discover if cannabis can be a useful/safer alternative.

Methods: Following a comprehensive literature review a 7-question online survey was designed with SurveyMonkey to gauge current Augsburg students’ perception of cannabis as an alternative …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Depression And Anxiety Among Idaho Adults, Melissa Marie Henbest

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative repercussions on the mental health of U.S. citizens. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on depression and anxiety on a population aged 18 years and older. Using a quantitative correlational repeated design, archival data were analyzed to evaluate the change in depression (as measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and anxiety (as measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]) indices from a non-pandemic year (2019) to the 1st pandemic year (2020) among patients of an outpatient community health care center. The study took into …

Mathematical Modeling, Analysis, And Simulation Of Patient Addiction Journey, Adan Baca, Diego Gonzalez, Alonso G. Ogueda, Holly C. Matto, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer

CODEE Journal

This paper aims to develop a mathematical model to study the dynamics of addiction as individuals go through their detox journey. The motivation for this work is three fold. First, there has been a significant increase in drug overdose and drug addiction following the COVID-19 pandemic, and addiction may be interpreted as a infectious disease. Secondly, the dynamics of infectious disease could be modeled via compartmental models described by differential equations and one can therefore leverage the existing analytical and numerical methods to model addiction as a disease. Finally, the work helps to inform how mathematical models governed by differential …

The Biology And Function Of Extracellular Vesicles In Immune Response And Immunity, Raghu Kalluri

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as ectosomes and exosomes, contain DNA, RNA, proteins and are encased in a phospholipid bilayer. EVs provide intralumenal cargo for delivery into the cytoplasm of recipient cells with an impact on the function of immune cells, in part because their biogenesis can also intersect with antigen processing and presentation. Motile EVs from activated immune cells may increase the frequency of immune synapses on recipient cells in a proximity-independent manner for local and long-distance modulation of systemic immunity in inflammation, autoimmunity, organ fibrosis, cancer, and infections. Natural and engineered EVs exhibit the ability to impact innate and …

Past And Present Of The Cvs: Empirical Research And Evidence-Based Policy, Kevin T. Wolff

Publications and Research

In this keynote address, I emphasized the critical role of accurate crime measurement in developing evidence-based policies. I discussed the "dark figure of crime," highlighting how many crimes go unreported, and stressed the importance of victimization surveys in uncovering these hidden crimes to provide a more complete picture of criminal activity.

I also explored how technological advancements, particularly AI, are transforming how we collect and analyze crime data. While AI offers significant benefits in predictive policing and resource allocation, I cautioned about the risks of bias and privacy issues that must be managed carefully.

Regional collaboration, standardization, and inclusivity are …

Understanding The Relationship Between Neonatal Dairy Calves’ Gut Microbiota And Incidence Of Diarrhea Using Full-Length 16s Rrna Gene Amplicon Sequencing And Machine Learning, Jalyn Grace Hawkins

Theses and Dissertations

A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for the development, growth, and health of dairy calves; however, diarrhea in pre-weaned calves is highly prevalent, difficult to treat, and causes detrimental effects to the dairy industry. This study characterized early gut microbiota using longread-based 16S rRNA gene sequencing and investigated its associations with calf diarrhea and colostrum microbiota. The full-length 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced on a Nanopore sequencer. We identified shared bacterial species in colostrum and calf feces, whose abundance in calf feces reduced with age. Diarrheic calves exhibited differing gut diversity before, during, and after diarrhea, and harbored …

Evaluation Of Copper Sulfate Treatment To Preclude Hatching Of Trematode Eggs, With Notes On The Influence Of Temperature On Miracidial Development And Hatching Of Drepanocephalus Spathans., Logan R. S. Robison

Theses and Dissertations

Catfish aquaculture remains the largest sector of the U.S. aquaculture industry, grossing ~$447 million in sales in 2022. Producers are plagued by annual losses associated with the trematode Bolbophorus damnificus. Management focuses on controlling the snail intermediate hosts using copper sulfate. Herein, the effects of copper on larval stages of the trematode Drepanocephalus spathans and Austrodiplostomum compactum eggs were investigated. Results indicate copper treatments currently used to control snails are ineffective at precluding hatching of trematode eggs. Higher doses prevented trematode eggs from hatching, although these levels are likely impractical in a commercial setting. A second study investigated the effects …

Windows Into Changing Landscapes: Bioarchaeological And Geophysical Analysis Of The Grenada Yellow Fever Cemetery, M. Kathryn Mckenna

Theses and Dissertations

This project focuses on the Yellow Fever Cemetery of Grenada, Mississippi through geophysical and biological methods. A ground penetrating radar survey was conducted to investigate the landscape and burial patterns in relation to the use of the cemetery throughout high periods of mortality such as a yellow fever epidemic. Additionally, biological methods were used in the analysis of an individual recovered as part of a salvage archaeology event from the cemetery. The multifaceted approach aims to uncover more about the cemetery, landscape, and community as it has changed over time with the influence of extreme events such as the yellow …

Pediatric Glioma Immune Profiling Identifies Tim3 As A Therapeutic Target In Braf Fusion Pilocytic Astrocytoma, Shashwat Tripathi, Hinda Najem, Corey Dussold, Sebastian Pacheco, Ruochen Du, Moloud Sooreshjani, Lisa Hurley, James P Chandler, Roger Stupp, Adam M Sonabend, Craig M Horbinski, Rimas V Lukas, Joanne Xiu, Giselle Lopez, Theodore P Nicolaides, Valerie Brown, Nitin R Wadhwani, Sandi K Lam, Charles David James, Ganesh Rao, Maria G Castro, Amy B Heimberger, Michael Decuypere

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Despite being the leading cause of cancer-related childhood mortality, pediatric gliomas have been relatively understudied, and the repurposing of immunotherapies has not been successful. Whole-transcriptome sequencing, single-cell sequencing, and sequential multiplex immunofluorescence were used to identify an immunotherapeutic strategy that could be applied to multiple preclinical glioma models. MAPK-driven pediatric gliomas have a higher IFN signature relative to other molecular subgroups. Single-cell sequencing identified an activated and cytotoxic microglia (MG) population designated MG-Act in BRAF-fused, MAPK-activated pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), but not in high-grade gliomas or normal brain. T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3) was expressed on MG-Act and …

Pediatric Glioma Immune Profiling Identifies Tim3 As A Therapeutic Target In Braf Fusion Pilocytic Astrocytoma, Shashwat Tripathi, Hinda Najem, Corey Dussold, Sebastian Pacheco, Ruochen Du, Moloud Sooreshjani, Lisa Hurley, James P Chandler, Roger Stupp, Adam M Sonabend, Craig M Horbinski, Rimas V Lukas, Joanne Xiu, Giselle Lopez, Theodore P Nicolaides, Valerie Brown, Nitin R Wadhwani, Sandi K Lam, Charles David James, Ganesh Rao, Maria G Castro, Amy B Heimberger, Michael Decuypere

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Despite being the leading cause of cancer-related childhood mortality, pediatric gliomas have been relatively understudied, and the repurposing of immunotherapies has not been successful. Whole-transcriptome sequencing, single-cell sequencing, and sequential multiplex immunofluorescence were used to identify an immunotherapeutic strategy that could be applied to multiple preclinical glioma models. MAPK-driven pediatric gliomas have a higher IFN signature relative to other molecular subgroups. Single-cell sequencing identified an activated and cytotoxic microglia (MG) population designated MG-Act in BRAF-fused, MAPK-activated pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), but not in high-grade gliomas or normal brain. T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3) was expressed on MG-Act and …

Efficacy Of Probiotics In Decreasing Rates Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis And Sepsis In Preterm Neonates, Valisa K. Teekadharry

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: The incidence of preterm infants developing serious infections is a common finding in many neonatal intensive care units. Probiotics have been a supplement that has been used by numerous people to improve the microbiota of the intestine for prevention of infection.

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review is to explore the efficacy of using probiotics in preterm infants for prevention of serious infections such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Lindell Library, Pub Med, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Using the search terms probiotics, probiotics in premature infants, probiotics and …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Hospital Expenses Of Diabetes And Obesity Patients In Rural Eastern North Carolina, Courtney Battle-Bradley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Multiple chronic conditions have caused a significant increase in hospital expenses. Diabetes and obesity have been identified as variables that negatively impact patient outcomes, but hospital expenses for diabetes and obesity patients who had and did not have COVID-19 had not been explored. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to compare the difference in hospital expenses, if any, of diabetes and obesity patients with and without COVID-19 at a North Carolina rural health care center. The study’s design was a correlational analysis using simple linear regression guided by Andersen’s behavioral model of health service utilization. The dependent variable …

Equity-Informed Social Media Covid-19 Risk Communication Strategies: A Scoping Review, Nedra Peter, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Catherine George, Anita Kothari

Publications

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating worldwide impact but most prominent was its effect on marginalised, underserved and equity-deserving populations. Social media arose as an important platform from which health organisations could rapidly disseminate information to equity-deserving populations about COVID-19 risks and events, provide instructions on how to mitigate those risks, motivate compliance with health directives, address false information, provide the opportunity for engagement and immediate feedback. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesise the academic and grey literature on equity-informed social media risk communication strategies developed during the pandemic. DESIGN: The review followed the Arksey and …

The Effect Of Antibiotic Premedication On Postoperative Complications Following Dental Extractions, Jessina C. Mcgregor, Geneva M. Wilson, Gretchen Gibson, M. Marianne Jurasic, Charlesnika T. Evans, Katie J. Suda

Faculty and Staff Publications

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the association between antibiotic prophylaxis and adverse outcomes following tooth extraction within the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing dental extractions in 2015–2019. The primary exposure was antibiotic prophylaxis. The primary outcome was post-extraction complication within 7 days (e.g., alveolar osteitis and surgical site infection); the secondary outcome was subsequent medical care relating to a post-extraction oral complication within 7 days. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the independent effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on each outcome.

Results

Of 385,880 visits with a dental extraction, 122,810 (31.8%) received antibiotic …

Molecular Detection Of Pathogenic Bacteria In American Dog Ticks (Dermacentor Variabilis) In Brown County, Nebraska, Nicole Messbarger, Darby Carlson, Keith Geluso, Julie Shaffer

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Ticks carry and transmit disease pathogens that cause many human illnesses. Many of these diseases in humans are accompanied by a wide variety of symptoms making tick-borne illnesses often difficult to diagnose. The rate of reported tick-borne illnesses in humans has increased during the past decades in the United States, alongside a rise in concern for public health and safety. In northern Nebraska, the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is the primary tick encountered by humans and domestic animals in the region. This species is a known vector for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses and tularemia (Francisella …

Unilateral Facial Swelling In A Sickle Cell Patient., Rohan Akhouri, Alison L. Fowler, Colton Schwarz, Lina Patel

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Acute soft head syndrome (ASHS) is a rare complication of sickle cell disease that often requires a high index of suspicion and is often a diagnosis of exclusion. We present the case of an 18-year-old male with sickle cell disease in the United States who developed acute soft head syndrome without known traumatic injury. The goal of this case presentation is to provide awareness and education regarding a rare complication of sickle cell disease and recommended management for the associated symptoms.

Antibiotic Resistance In Livestock: A Literature Review Of Its Consequences And International Effort On Human Antimicrobial Agents Resistant Crisis, Ha Nguyen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Despite their benefits, the overuse of antibiotics in livestock has resulted in negative consequences to human health and the augmenting of an antibiotic-resistant crisis. Countries worldwide have conducted analyses and confirmed the growth of bacterial strains immune to most antibiotics. The widespread use of antibiotics is shown in various sectors, including human medicine and agriculture, leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

Purpose: This comprehensive literature review focuses on finding the connection between the usage of antibiotics in livestock, the transfer of antibiotic resistance to humans through consumption and exposure, and international efforts to find solutions to antimicrobial …

Exploring Leadership Characteristics And Their Effects On Sustaining Federally Qualified Health Centers, Eleace E. Sawyers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An argument can be made for the continued existence of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) because of the level of importance of the service they provide to society. The problem addressed in this research is that despite the millions of people in need of affordable health care, the leaders of many FQHCs are fighting to keep facilities open amidst financial struggles. The purpose of this research was to identify leadership characteristics that promote FQHCs’ success by assessing effective leadership styles. This study applied a quantitative, descriptive non-experimental approach. Probability sampling was used to select the sample size and the Multifactor …